Have done the journey several times now but everytime I have done M1 and M25 anti - clock. Yesterday I lost an hour crawling through road works at Luton and round the M25, it was a Monday morning though.
Leaving Leeds at 4am would it be worth going A1 and over Dartford?
No difference. You’ll get screwed, either way is just as bad. The early start from too far away gets cancelled out.
You can miss out the Luton area by coming off M1 at Northampton then going via Towcester, Brackley etc.,
and joining M40 to M25. Sometimes works, sometimes not…
Might give that a try Axletramp, used to use M69 - A46 - M40 so quite similar, as soon as it gets to 8.15 it will be time to take a 45 wherever I get to.
Thanks
Matt
axletramp:
You can miss out the Luton area by coming off M1 at Northampton then going via Towcester, Brackley etc.,
and joining M40 to M25. Sometimes works, sometimes not…
The A43 is mostly dual these days.
I would go M42 > M40 > M25 though, with the option of using the A404 > M4 if traffic dictates.
axletramp:
You can miss out the Luton area by coming off M1 at Northampton then going via Towcester, Brackley etc.,
and joining M40 to M25. Sometimes works, sometimes not…
thats the route I use to Heathrow from Hull when I go down there its better than sitting on M1 at the bottom quick tip if busy at the roundabout at the bottom just before joining M40 take left hand lane and go through services that takes you stright onto the M40 whilst missing the dumb roundabout out 
Thanks for that, will give it a try in the morning - A43 with the A404 in there if needed, if I get to Beaconsfield Services by 8am I’ll be well placed.
Will post from Beaconsfield if I make it… 
A1, A14, M11, M25. That way you miss some of the traffic and the road works on the 25.
where in croydon are you going to? i was born in croydon
mickyblue:
where in croydon are you going to? i was born in croydon
i used to live in thornton heath.
I use to frequently get stuck on the Purley Way when up and down from a daily delivery near IKEA.
A43 spot on route, no hold ups! Thanks guys.
Only made it as far as Oxford Services as had to jockey round yard too much during trailer swap but got here in 3hours 25 from Bramley.
Heading to Kuehne Nagel on Bedddington Farm Road, Croydon.
mickyblue:
A1, A14, M11, M25. That way you miss some of the traffic and the road works on the 25.where in croydon are you going to? i was born in croydon
I’m based in Croydon, this about the best route probably, if you do give it a try, come off the M25 at J4, follow the A21 in to Farnborough and pick up the A232 at the “Fantails” junction, this will run you straight into Croydon and bring you out by the Waddon junction on the A23. Cuts out most of the Purley Way and the bit of the M25 by Clacket Lane.
There are no low bridges or restrictions either, but it is in the London Lorry ban, so if you’re coming in before 7am or after 9pm then stick to the A23.
i tend to come off at that Junction as it is easier to get through croydon and get to Waddon lol
By the way Mickeyblue, born in Croydon? If it was the Mayday Hospital you’re lucky to still be alive, as due to the terrible MRSA infection rate, its been renamed the Maydie Hospital
Mr Happy, will give that one a go next time, it is quite a regular Monday morning run, should be there after 7am so shouldn’t have a problem, cutting Purley Road out at the minute would be usefull given the road works at the moment.
Cheers
Matt
mickyblue:
A1, A14, M11, M25. That way you miss some of the traffic and the road works on the 25.where in croydon are you going to? i was born in croydon
You should stick to being a pig if that’s your idea of route planning.
MrHappy:
By the way Mickeyblue, born in Croydon? If it was the Mayday Hospital you’re lucky to still be alive, as due to the terrible MRSA infection rate, its been renamed the Maydie Hospital
I am lucky yes lol and i am also glad to be out of croydon
RobK:
mickyblue:
A1, A14, M11, M25. That way you miss some of the traffic and the road works on the 25.where in croydon are you going to? i was born in croydon
Whats wrong with that route? you only touch a little bit of the M25. If you Take the A1 all the way down to the M25 you be on it for miles
jessicas dad:
mickyblue:
where in croydon are you going to? i was born in croydoni used to live in thornton heath.
Yo blood, waasssup??..i is from South Norwood innit, isss well wikett innit bruv, you get me blood■■? aayyye!!
…
A1-A14-M11-Blackwall Tunnel-then head for A23 that way you will be going out of london as everybody else trys to get in…works for me, best of all NO M25…